The problems includes not letting customers know they could purchase caskets somewhere besides the funeral home, telling customers they did not have the right to cancel pre-planned funeral contracts and charging more than the allowable statutory fee for a death certificate. Problems were found at nine of the 38 funeral homes in Washington D.C. and warnings were issued.

This is most likely not just a problem in the nation's capital.

Among the issues are that buyers of funeral home services do not always have many options. They are often in the process of grieving. As a result, unscrupulous funeral homes can take advantage of them.

The exact rules vary from state to state but funeral homes are often not allowed to keep customers ill-informed of their various options and legal rights.

If you find yourself in need of funeral services, it would be helpful to research the laws in your state, if at all possible.